North West companies of all sizes have announced a series of top appointments and promotions over the last week.
The likes of a luxury car maker, law firms and digital agencies have all made major moves.
Below, we round up the latest hires and promotions that we feel you should not miss.
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If you have a new or recent appointment or promotion that you would like featured in our next round up, please e-mail jon.robinson@reachplc.com.
Bentley
Bentley has announced the appointment of Robin Page as the new director of design from September 1.
Mr Page has over 30 years' experience in automotive design, most recently holding a number of roles in the Volvo Car Group.
Before his time at Volvo, he was head of interior design for Bentley between 2001 and 2013, where achievements included the interior design for the iconic first generation Continental GT, the pinnacle of luxury, Bentley Mulsanne, and the State Limousine for the Royal Monarch.
Mr Page said: "Having worked for 17 years at Bentley, I have always held a strong connection to the brand and kept a close eye on its evolution.
"To return and have the opportunity to help set the design language for the first Bentley BEVs, redefining the rules while keeping continuity to the past and present, is a challenge I am privileged to lead."
Hudgell Solicitors
Clinical negligence specialist Maria Repanos has joined Hudgell Solicitors as head of clinical negligence in Manchester.
She has previously worked at Irwin Mitchell Solicitors and Fletchers Solicitors.
She said: "This is a really exciting opportunity for me and I am thrilled to have been given the responsibility of leading and further developing what is already an excellent team in Manchester.
"I’m passionate about representing clients and ensuring that I work collaboratively with them so that their cases are led in the way they want within the remit of the legal process."
Electricity North West
Electricity North West has appointed a new asset and technology, and strategy and growth director.
Ben Grunfeld will join the organisation on July 1 from consultancy Guidehouse, where he was a partner working with utilities in the UK, Europe, Middle East and Canada as the international energy sector lead.
He said: "Electricity North West is the leading digital network operator in Europe, building an intelligent network and innovating to reduce costs for customers and improve reliability and customer satisfaction.
"It is an exciting time to join, at the start of a £2bn investment in the region, and I am thrilled to be part of this leading organisation and to deliver on our commitments to the five million people, and two hundred thousand businesses, that depend on our services."
Primas Law
Primas Law has expanded its corporate team with the appointment of Catherine Lo as senior associate at the firm’s recently opened Liverpool office.
Catherine Lo, who specialises in the full range of corporate transactions including mergers and acquisitions, group reorganisations and joint ventures as well as advising on shareholder agreements, corporate governance and constitutional documentation, joins the firm from Bermans.
She said: "I’m thrilled to be joining Primas Law and working alongside such a talented team, helping to strengthen our presence in Liverpool and throughout the North West."
Assetz Capital
Assetz Capital has appointed David Allanson to its board as a non-executive director.
Following a career in commercial lending, latterly as regional managing director, Lloyds Corporate Banking, Mr Allanson has for the last six years taken up several non-executive/board advisory roles, across multiple sectors across financial services, hospitality, manufacturing, digital and BTB services.
He said "I am looking forward to joining the team at Assetz and to working with Stuart, Andrew, and the wider senior management team to deliver on the ambitious growth targets over the next five years."
Pixel Kicks
Manchester-based Pixel Kicks has appointed Cheska Hardie as its new digital marketing manager.
She has joined from Bauer Media where she worked for 18 months; initially as a digital marketing manager and then as a SEO content strategist.
She has also held digital marketing and social media roles at several other companies including Eclectic Bars, Amelia Knight and JAC Group.
The agency has also announced that Faye Valentine has been promoted to head of social media.
Fieldfisher
Two promotions to partner have been made at law firm Fieldfisher's Manchester office.
Adam Hattersley and John Smith took on the management of the property finance team November 2020 and have now become partners at the firm.
Managing partner of Fieldfisher Manchester, David Bowcock, said: "Adam and John fully deserve their promotions. They have driven our Real Estate Finance work and proved themselves brilliant relationship-builders.
"Clients not only trust them, they thoroughly enjoy working with them, and our people focus is something Fieldfisher prides itself on."
Placefirst
UK build-to-rent provider Placefirst has appointed Anna Hwang as its new assets and strategy director.
She joins with over 20 years' experience in the property sector and will be responsible for developing and executing Placefirst's real estate strategy, which looks to build on recent success as the business aims to reach 6,500 homes in the coming years.
She joins Placefirst from Savills, where she was director of operational capital markets for two years.
Fletchers Group
Fletchers Group has added to its private client and court of protection team with the appointment of a new director.
Kate Edwards has joined having previously a partner with Simpson Millar.
She said: "It’s great to be joining Fletchers Group at such a pivotal time; the speed at which the business has grown over the past two years is remarkable and I’m looking forward to contributing significantly to this in the future through a combination of organic and inorganic growth."
MCR Property Group
MCR Property Group has announced the appointment of David Tracey to chief operating officer.
With 16 years of service, Mr Tracey began working with the real estate and development company as an accounts assistant at 23, taking on the COO role some 16 years later.
He said: "I am honoured to take on this new role. I have had the privilege of working with this talented team for many years, and for the majority of my career, from a young age.
"I am excited about what this new role represents and the incredible opportunities that we have in front of us."
Brabners
Law firm Brabners has added to its family practice with the addition of a specialist children and modern families team.
Led by partner Cara Nuttall, who joined the firm at the start of 2023, the team has welcomed senior associate Jo-Anna Jellings after associate Joe Ailion joined in January.
They will be based at the firm's Manchester office at Barbirolli Square.
Colliers
Commercial real estate firm Colliers has recruited a new director in its project and building consultancy team.
Gideon Levene joins the firm’s project management arm from construction firm Claritas Group, where he was the regional director of operations in the North West.
He said: "Now more than ever firms need strong project management to achieve their goals.
"’m looking forward to working with Colliers clients and bringing my range of experience forward to effectively ensure that projects are delivered efficiently, on time and ultimately within budget."
S Norton Group
S Norton Group has appointed Tony Hayer as its new managing director.
The move comes as the business revealed its vision for growth following a restructure.
Founded in 1962, the company has metals recycling operations across the UK in Liverpool, Manchester, London and Southampton.
Mr Hayer said: "Now in its 60th anniversary year, S Norton Group is a hugely respected company in the industry.
"We are positioning the company for the future building on its position as leaders in metals recycling innovation."
Time Finance
Time Finance has announced the appointment of Tariq Bourdouane as business development manager in its invoice finance team.
He joins with over 17 year's experience working in the invoice finance sector, having spent time in business development management roles at Aldermore Invoice Finance and Lloyds Bank Commercial Finance.
Mr Bourdouane said: "I'm really excited to be joining the Time Finance team at such a pivotal moment in the business.
"The company is on an upward growth trajectory, and it will be great to be part of that and help reach even more SMEs in need of packaged financial solutions."
JMW Solicitors
JMW Solicitors' restructuring and insolvency team has added two new hires with Simon Gerrard joining as partner and Tom McCue as solicitor.
Mr Gerrard said: "I am delighted to be part of such a success story. This is a complex and constantly evolving area of the law and I believe the experience and expertise I bring complements the already strong skill set within the team."
Mr McCue added: "I am very excited to be joining the team at JMW as they have a great reputation for their work. I believe I can make a significant contribution to their ongoing success."
CRM
Debt recovery and credit management specialist CRM has appointed Chris Pickles as senior relationship manager.
Mr Pickles joins from Yorkshire Bank, latterly Virgin Money, with over 15 years experience working in invoice finance and will be based in the firm's Salford head office.
He said: "I am delighted to be joining CRM now and will be bringing my IF experience to bear on problem solving. I am particularly interested in the insolvency side and building on relationships that CRM already have in this space where they are hugely respected."
Dee Set Group
Dee Set Group has appointed James Ainger as head of retail following almost 15 years at supermarket giant Asda.
In his new role he will be responsible for assisting and developing relationships between brands and retailers including Asda, Morrisons and Wilko.
He said: "Having spent 15 years in retail, I’ve really relished the move to the other side of the divide."
Trident Building Consultancy
Cameron McMaster has been promoted to principal building surveyor at Trident Building Consultancy’s Liverpool office.
He said: "I joined Trident Building Consultancy as an assistant building surveyor in London as I wanted to have the experience of working in the capital. It was fantastic, but I always knew I would eventually return to the north.
"I had a great time in London and when it became time to leave, Trident were extremely supportive, enabling me to join the Leeds office, where I was promoted to senior building surveyor."
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